This blog is a part of self discovery, a symbol of my passion for writing - my madness, an attempt to be a part of the 'Write-A-Thon'. This is my space - beyond the judgement of others. Here, I dabble mostly in romance, poetry, shayari, book reviews, social issues that bother me and trending topics (venturing out of my comfort zone) with a dash of personal insights about life - an entertaining fiction itself!

Saturday, 31 January 2015

I
believe, we are a 'texting' generation. The phone call is slowly dying due to
sudden explosion in texting. Texting and chatting are social norms now.

Why I
prefer chat over a phone call?

1. I am
not much of a phone talker.

Like
most introverts, I detest talking on the phone with strangers. I prefer clear
and concise conversations over lengthy ones. A ringing phone wants your
attention RIGHT NOW! It doesn't care if you are resting or you're in deep
thoughts. Honestly, I hate the sight of unknown numbers calling me. Also, in
lectures or meetings, it is feasible to mute your phone or put it on silent/vibration
in case you want to chat. But the phone call buzzes and sings - which is
annoying! And some people don't give up easily! They keep calling you and
finally your barking phone wins the battle when you take the call. (which you
had no intention to take!)

2. Chatting
is quick, free, easy to store and privacy is protected!

Speech
is instantaneous. Chatting takes away some pressure of having to come up with a
response instantly, you have time to be thoughtful about what to type/respond,
as opposed to an awkward silence over the phone or babbling away at someone
over the phone. People can overhear phone conversations, but not chats. You can
also send a message and continue with your work till you receive a response. This
is convenient and cuts down on expenses and increases your chance of getting
the perfect buyer as you can do multiple chats and choose the best deal. We can
send photos, talk point to point keeping the chat shorter, specific and less
time consuming! Life is crazy and busy these days. Today, people have their
mobile phones with them all the time and they use it to engage with people via apps.
Also it is easy to save chats for future references. With chats, we can save
snapshots as proofs! We can multitask with chatting - have multiple tabs open,
multiple programs open. We also get the opportunity to scroll back through the
information provided by buyers/sellers.

3. I
have a hard time saying 'No' on a call!

I'm
terrible at saying a 'no'. On calls, we try to be humble and polite. But online
buying and selling requires you to be thoughtful and smart to crack the best
deal for yourself. Chatting and texting makes you bolder. Chatting makes
transactions a lot easier to convey your queries. You can engage with the party
through chats and discuss a product precisely.

********************************************************

Quikr allows
individuals to sell, buy and rent products/services across
various categories like electronics, cars, bikes, real estate, entertainment,
jobs and much more. This online and mobile classifieds site has now added a new
feature - #QuikrNXT, that allows buyers and sellers to connect with each other
in real-time and chat across Quikr's mobile app. The feature also enable users to chat with multiple users and
share images.

Offline
consumers get a notification so that they can chat once they are online. Also,
users can choose to make their listing private by hiding their mobile numbers
but can still connect with prospective buyers and sellers. One can save the chat histories for future reference and can delete or block unwanted numbers.

This
feature from Quikr will transform India's online classifieds market as it
enables users to communicate at their convenience and request details about the product without requiring a phone
call.

A huge
amount of frustration is removed as you won’t be waiting in phone queues,
listening to the hold tone. There is no unnecessary delay and waiting time is
reduced.

Friday, 30 January 2015

Shattered Dreams is the sequel to
the national bestseller, Rise of the Sun Prince, in the new spiritual and
motivational series Ramayana - The Game of Life. Twelve joyful years have
passed in Ayodhya since the wedding of Rama and Sita at the end of Book 1.

Now, in Shattered Dreams, Shubha
Vilas narrates the riveting drama of Rama’s exile. Through tales of Rama’s
unwavering and enigmatic persona, the book teaches us how to handle reversals
positively; through Bharata’s actions, it teaches us to handle temptation; and
through Sita’s courage, to explore beyond our comfort zone. This complicated
family drama provides deep insights on how human relationships work and how
they fail.

With Valmiki’s Ramayana as its
guiding light, Shattered Dreams deftly entwines poetic beauty from the Kamba
Ramayana and Ramacharitramanas, as well as folk philosophy from the Loka
Pramana tales, to demonstrate how the ancient epic holds immediate relevance to
modern life. Experience the ancient saga of the Ramayana like never before.
A relevant modern-day English reinterpretation of an Indian legend, retold. This
book is written by a spiritual seeker and a motivational speaker, Shubha Vilas.

Mythology,
to write in series, is a great challenge. And to keep the reader hooked is yet
another challenge.

We
all have heard and read about Ramayana from many sources, but what makes this
book different is the extreme detailing and the interpretation which
contributes to developing our own perspective about the epic. The point to
point footnotes just do not let you put the book down. They help the reader understand
the underlying message behind each of the stories in the Ramayana. Some of them
are etched in my memory.

"The
decisions to make decisions has to be made in moments of strength not in moment
of weakness."

“One ounce of immaturity coupled with ten ounces of ill advice is the perfect
recipe for a life of disaster.”

Many
good ideas and opinions came along with the reading. Without losing out the
original touch and story-line from the authentic Ramayana, it teaches some
wonderful philosophies to live with. This book gives a perspective to help one
inculcate the underlying teachings of this epic.

The character development throughout the book is commendable. One commendable
aspect of the book is that it portrays Sita to be as important as Rama. She is
his courageous companion who braves all difficulties to support her husband in
his time of trouble. Simple language narration which is easy to comprehend and
can be related to.

The
romance of Rama and Sita is also quite very well depicted without the theatrics
of overwhelming the reader. However, the story aside, some takeaways from this
book are what ideal behaviour should be towards all, the importance of being
detached in times of happiness or sadness, and how to be positive no matter how
trying the times may be. The author has lucidly interpreted various aspects
with analogies and examples. Lessons such as the five management mantras
towards effective leadership, solutions to success, and the six anarthas to
conquer make for interesting reading.

Each
lesson is enshrined in a box, it is very easy to flip the pages and read the
short extracts. There are little footnotes explaining Sanskrit words or
cultural traditions of that time. This book helpfully transfers the reader back
to the era in when the epic was originally written, and gives a brilliant
insight into the life and society of ancient India.

A
very honest attempt at rewriting the epic "Ramayana" with its
learning simplified in a common man's language. The book reveals the truths of
life.

It
is a self-help/guide book rooted in Indian culture and mythology. Read it to
learn! A must read for every living soul.

Tuesday, 27 January 2015

Kashmir
is a magical wonderland of high Himalayan mountains, lush green valleys, snow
fed high altitude lakes, streams and rivers, spectacular landscape with the
great diversity in culture and tradition. Paradise for its beauty and tourists
interests like holiday on a houseboat, pilgrimage tours, mountaineering,
trekking, snow skiing, rafting, water skiing, trout fishing, river rafting.

Charming
meadows, stay at houseboats, breathtaking views - Kashmir will never disappoint
you. Srinagar is the highlight of Kashmir. It is a city of lakes and mountains
that climb directly out of those lakes. Srinagar, nestled in the beautiful Kashmir
valley has Dal lake as the center of attraction.

From
Srinagar, one can explore the rest of Jammu & Kashmir and visit
destinations like Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Gulmarg. Katra in J & K is the
starting point for those wanting to visit Vaishno Devi Temple. From
breathtaking beauty to spiritual salvation, the state of Jammu & Kashmir
offers it all.

Make
your next holiday special in J & K. Srinagar, located in predominantly
Muslim Kashmir in far north India, is one of the top 10 hill stations
in India. A place of splendid natural
beauty, it's often referred to as the "Land of Lakes and Gardens" or
the "Switzerland of India". The gardens have a distinctly Mughal
influence, as many of them were cultivated by Mughal emperors.

Kashmir
is a jewel of a destination. It is a
place which can be re-visited time and again. Hence, my reasons. :)

Friday, 23 January 2015

Asad
had been signalling since many days that he likes me. It is incredibly
conspicuous. He is happy when he is with me. He can be punished for not
submitting his assignment on time, but if he glimpses me, he’ll still give me that
melting smile. All his family members know about me, that's how much he talks
about me to them. So I'm hoping that it is a mutual crush, err.. L.O.V.E. He
has an enticing voice for me.. softer, humbler. We are always around and with
each other.

These
days I look for opportunities to be close to him, and he too doesn't mind. It
has been four years to your friendship, actually 'something' more than just
friendship. We are a small gang. But despite that, there was never any wrong
intention or any wrong touch from him ever. That makes him, my man.

Day
after tomorrow is Valentine's day! What better day than the national day of
amour? I know its unconventional for a girl to pop the question, but who
cares? Everything is fair in love and
war. And this is love. Yes, L.O.V.E, it is! I have postponed telling him this
fact since many months. But now I think, I'm ready for the leap and very sure
myself. I'm ready to make the commitment and now it's almost unsaid. Doesn't
matter who takes the call!

I
have decided to catch his attention, not just for the V-Day, but for life. He
is my person. I'm thrilled about my plans.

Asad
never judges me, but I want to be good around him. I want to look my best! I
want to feel pretty around him. Asad says, 'Asmara, you look lovely in white!' I
don't want to deck up like a doll plastering my face with makeup. A bit of
mascara and gloss. That's it. Asad doesn't like dolled up girls. He thinks they
are fake with the overtly done makeup.

As
a girl, I wanted to be the proposee. To experience that big moment with
butterflies in my tummy. But now, it's hard to wait. I haven't hurried in
proposing to Asad, I have known him well for years. So I am comfortable around
him. He loves my smile, so that will be my asset. He knows the 'real' me.

I
have decided to be direct with him, he knows when I beat around the bush and
I'll be caught! I want to keep it simple, yet memorable.

Some
things never change, he will meet me on 14th February with his shirt tucked
halfway in his jeans and with that hairdo to die for! He is that way, daily.
Like a Greek God.

The
way to a man's heart is through his stomach. So, I have decided to make some
homemade cupcakes for Asad, he loves them!

We
are meeting for a movie on the 14th. Plan has been fixed. Inox theatre, Nariman
point. I have decided to be bolder. This method of proposing is tried and tested.
But I'm a bit filmy, so I have decided to go by this method. I have prepared a
short movie to be screened and I will pop the question during the interval. In
the video, his favourite romantic song - 'Tum Mile' will be dedicated to him - with
all our pictures, moments and memories. Like a mini flashback of four years. This
will get him down the memory lane, for sure! I have ended it with a sweet
proposal, 'Friendship transformed to crush and slowly into L.O.V.E. Will you
be my Valentine, forever?' This will charm him and he will give me 'that'
smile. It will be memorable, I hope not embarrassing though.

*After
the movie ends*

I
have printed on a plain white T shirt, 'Asad, I like you, like I love you.' I'll
gift him and wait for his reaction.

I
have also written a letter to him, a LOVE LETTER with the sender's name - GOD,
with a message inside, "God wants us to be together... till
eternity!"

The
letter reads ~

"I
intend to be your partner for life, Asad. I want to marry you, take all the major
decisions of my life with you. There's a cultural barrier in our society that a
woman cannot bring up the question and let a man know that she loves him. But I
know I'm not wrong and so there is no shame in letting you know that I L.O.V.E
you. I didn't want to be a stereotypic girl waiting for a man to propose her.
Proposing is scary. Ask me that. It took me months to decide and tell you.
Moreover, your decision over it scares me a bit. What if a no? Will I be able
to take it? I don't know, frankly. But if you ask me, can I handle you for
life? My answer would be, 'Happily, yes!'

Everything
I've ever wanted is right before me. In you. Just a mention of you can get the
loveliest smile on my face! You're so easy to connect. We have such a great
camaraderie. You and I understand each
other, even if things are unsaid. You're never jealous of my achievements, in fact you push
me to do even better. I don't need to think twice before calling you. I
admire you. You're my protector when I'm in trouble. Without you, all I am is
just a black and white rainbow.

Adrenaline
is taking its toll now! I have been planning this for few days now, it wasn't
easy, but it was totally worth it. I'm highly nervous and my communication skills
are now going for a toss.

I
would end this by saying, I really love you. I sincerely do. I will love you
until the universe will no longer let me. When I look at you I feel, 'I really
love this man.' I love him with all his flaws, all his highs, all his lows.' I
see the colour of my future in your eyes. Will you lend me your surname for the
rest of your life?? Honestly, I don't not want this to be another miserable
one-sided love. I want to earn your approval. But nonetheless, I'll value our
decision. Whatever it be."

Yours,

Asmara.

P.S:
This post is for IndiBlogger, Happy Hours - Close Up Cupid Games 2015.

Wednesday, 21 January 2015

We
Indians are litterbugs, really. Inherently unhygienic. We spit, we throw our
waste carelessly. It seems we have all pledged
to do that! We are like garbage trucks, throwing our wastes around and
ironically more under the signs that say 'DONT!'

Because,
public toilets stink, Indian men pee proudly under the blue sky. A classical
example of Chutzpah!

We
Indians like to see pan stained walls, overflowing dustbins, public defecation,
dirt, garbage and filth on the street! We paint our town, but unfortunately
with these things! Clean walls are endangered in India!

We
mindlessly toss empty packets of chips, polythene bags, food containers on the
street, beaches, etc. Such a disregard
for one’s own country! We see many dead flowers touching our feet on
beaches. We Indians are bound by religion, so much so that by citing religious
rituals as justification, we throw garlands, flowers, etc. making the beach
dirty. Even well-dressed people spit bubblegum from their costly cars, wherever they deem fit.

It's
easy to make a mess when you're not the one who has to clean it up. As incomes
rise and snacks, potato crisps, gutka become more widely available and
affordable, the country is getting messier! The attitude within each one of us
is: “So long as my house is clean, I really don’t care about the surrounding!”
This has laid the foundation for our country to be deemed as 'unhygienic' by
many other countries. Strewn garbage definitely has a negative impact on
foreigners.

The
lack of cleanliness in India hits anywhere you place your eye — hotels, hospitals,
households, work places, railway trains, airplanes, temples. Piled up garbage,
overflowing sewage and foul-smelling environs are common in India.

There
are mad people roaming around dirtying walls of Mumbai local trains pronouncing
their love for a girl! As if all other ways to approach a girl have been done
with! This not only shows lack of cleanliness but also lack of respect for
women in India.

It
is the need of the hour that we practise Cleanliness in real sense! From used
condoms to used sanitary pads lying on the roads, we Indians have lost sanity over
sanitation!

Everyone
loves to be remembered, we Indians have chosen to leave our marks on this land
in the form of pan spits or defecation so that all can smell our essence.

Today,
we have an electronic umwelt, where history is replaced with movies,
education is replaced with entertainment and nature is replaced with
technology. We don't care if our surrounding is unclean.

This year, Gandhi
Jayanthi was observed with a mission called Swatchh Bharat (Clean
India Campaign) by PM Narendra Modi. The PM exhorted the Indians to devote
two hours every week for cleaning their surroundings.

Self
thinking is hard. So we blind follow - 'Herd' mentality! Be it Swachh Bharat
Campaign or anything else; unless we don't believe in it, we should not blindly
follow it. Don't make the broom just a style statement for clicking a selfie.

Public
cleanliness is the need of the hour. Litter is a growing concern which hinders the
quality of the environment and also the global image of Indian society as a
whole.

By
littering, we are breaking the spine of our own country. Cleanliness & self
discipline cannot be taught. Cleanliness is a state of mind. But keeping our
dirty mindsets in picture, this will have to be forced upon! To revolutionize
this initiative by TOI, I suggest public shaming campaigns against people
urinating/defecating in public. People should be deployed on the streets and in public
places. Anyone caught littering should be issued a penalty. The use of plastic bags should be banned too.

We
need to keep a tight vigil on littering. We need to realize this at a personal level,
the sooner, the better. Glad that TOI is up with this initiative campaign
called 'The Great Indian Litterbug'!

Tuesday, 20 January 2015

I believe that the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you. - Joyce Meyer

We do not value health, until sickness comes. If a child is healthy, he has hope, the one who has hope has everything for himself.

Every man's sickness and ill health is his personal property, which means we are all responsible for our health and also for the cheer we spread around if we are in the pink of health!

As a child I was always blessed with good health. And so I kept my parents away from the pain of carrying me again and again to the paediatrician. On the other hand, my baby brother was just the opposite. He kept my parents on toes as they kept rushing him to doctors.

The greatest wealth and happiness is indeed health and not pieces of gold.

Many children of India suffer from malnutrition. The cause is within us, but fortunately, the cure too is within us.

Children with good health are the wealthiest. “Health and cheerfulness naturally beget each other.” ~Joseph Addison. How true, isn't it?

Nutrition for toddlers should be food that is pure and natural - not processed with additives. Toddlers enjoy finger food. They need a break from purees and cereals. Feed them fruits or green vegetable snacks. Give apple slices and carrot sticks when they have enough teeth and ability to chew them. Be sure that your kids are up to date on their immunizations. Babies need strong bones, healthy weight to stay alert and active. Choose a natural drink for them - water. Don't let them become the slaves of TV and computers, push them to play outdoors and please, please - feed them healthy snacks!

To all the Indian parents - Raise happy kids : Raise healthy kids!

Sadly, parents today think of happiness in terms of their children's success, about shiny trophies and milestones. How many of them want them to be healthy first than successful? A child is pushed into the rat race right from kindergarten days.

Parents ~ let your child grow, let his imagination run wild, let him be healthy, mentally and physically, both! Do not script their lives. Make them eat their meals on time. Its too simple a strategy for happiness. Let them refuel their growing brains with regular meals and sound sleep. Apart from your unconditional love, striking a balance between eating and doing physical activity is important for them.

Every time a child falls ill, parents make a small promise somewhere in their hearts that no matter what, next time onward, they will take all precautions. But, next time never comes. No matter how much we shout our kids to stop their nuances, but when the same kid falls sick, we begin to miss his talks, his activities. After all, it’s the parents who suffer the most when kids fall sick. It breaks one’s heart to see the poor baby not doing any antics and missing school!

Don’t we all wish there were certain immunity boosting formulas which, if given to our kids, do not have any side effects and increase their resistance power against diseases and common ailments like flu and cold and make them immune!?

Many products on store shelves claim to boost or support immunity. Walk into a store, and you will find bottles of pills and herbal preparations that claim to “support immunity” or otherwise boost the health of your immune system. Rarely, do they stand by what they promise!

But….

Dabur: A brand nourishing an Immune India since 125 years!!

Dabur Chyawanprash increases NK cells (Natural Killer Cells) which are an essential part of our body’s immune system and fights germs, bacteria and infections by 3 times hence increasing our immunity by 3 times. Thus, Dabur Chyawanprash helps us in fighting against germs, viruses and helps protect against infections, making us free to take on the outdoors, unhygienic surroundings, weather changes and pollution.

As a child, and even now for a fact, my mom always feeds me a magic spoon of BLACK GOLD: Dabur Chyawanprash - a time-tested, age-old formulation has a number of herbs like Amla which is known to be one of the best antioxidants, Giloy (Guduchi), known to have immuno-modulatory properties, and more than 40 other natural ingredients. Dabur Chyawanprash increases Immunity by 3 times* & hence protects against illness. It helps me fight weakness.

Then see - where there's health, there's happiness! With dabur Chyawanprash Campaign, lets pledge to make India's children disease free, fearless and immune from the thorns of viruses! Let your children be your pride and reason of joy. They are the ones who bring energy to your lifeless homes! Celebrate life with Dabur and its value for money magic products.

Sunday, 18 January 2015

When you
miss someone....it’s weird…your body doesn’t function normally..as it should.
You can decorate absence however you want - but you are still gonna feel what’s
missing!Everyday
I'm getting sadder,

Because
that day is getting near,

The day
you will leave…the day that I fear.

And I
don’t know what I will do,

When
you are no longer here..

I'm
going to miss you terribly,

There’s
no doubt in my mind,

Tears
on my cheek everyone will find.

I know
I'm going to cry,

I cannot
tell a lie.

Although we can keep in touch,

I’ll
miss seeing you smile everyday.

I never
thought the day would come,

But is
the day is looking over my shoulder,

And the
pain is weighing heavy on my heart like a boulder.

I want
you to know, even though I may not have shown,
You will be missed!

We are
both -

Two
sides of a coin,

With
our hearts,

Inseparably
joined!

To meet
you in person,

My
heart will burst,

My
eyes, my lips, my mind and my soul,

Will desperately
need a sweet treat - You!

Missing
In Silence,

Secretly
Yearning Over Us,

I will
be alone..

The
distance is far,
No one to share my thinking..
So insatiable,

Just
what am I to do with all these hungry words!

The world will keep revolving but mine will cease to move..

Your
warmth, will be gone,
I will eat alone,

I will close
my eyes and pray for you to come home soon!

Before
you go,

Just
one warm embrace,
Just to look upon your face,
Just one little touch,
From the one I love so much,
If I could gaze upon your smile,
For just a little while,
To know that you will miss me too,
To hear the sound of you breathe,
To just be with the one who's sent my heart reeling,
And brought this downpour of emotion and feeling.

I've told you many thoughts that weren't borrowed or bought,
And though I cannot touch you,

Thursday, 15 January 2015

Ayra
always wanted to be an Art Historian. She saw herself flitting between
galleries, talking Michelangelo and Dali with glamorous ease. At twenty–nine,
life has decided to make her an underpaid investment banker juggling an
eccentric family, a fading career and a long–distance relationship that is
becoming a light-year one.

On
a monsoon day in June, she is suddenly sent packing from Mumbai to Tuscany to
buy a vineyard for a star client. What should have been a four day trip turns
into a two week treasure hunt that finds her in the middle of midnight wine
deals, dodgy vintners, rolling Tuscan hills, a soap opera family and one
playboy millionaire who is looking to taste more than just the wine.

Towards
the end she finds that the road to true happiness is almost as elusive as that
perfect glass of Chianti.

********************

Review:

The
cover page is beautiful - a lonely woman staring at the wine yards pondering
whether to take the path with bright colours highlighting the reflection of
uncertainties of today's women.

Here is a book that the young,
multinational, globetrotting, working professional will relate with. 'Fade Into
Red' is a lovely book based on the life story of an independent woman who is
passionate about art history and is a banker by profession. She thinks her life
is just perfect with the perfect job until she embarks on a journey which takes
her to Tuscany as part of her job but it completely changes her life. For good.

Reshma has to be appreciated for illustrating how people have become workaholic
in the search of money and how she highlights the importance of family. The
narration is crisp, and a touch of humour adds some spice.

The
story deals about finding one’s true calling, friendship, following one’s
passion, office politics, etc. This book is a chick-lit but far better than the
mushy ones. This book has everything in right proportions.

Ayra
is a typical modern day girl. Smart, intelligent, ambitious and with secret
desires, she is living the life of her to its fullest. She is like majority of
the people, both men and women included, when it comes to her career. One can
relate to her when she has to sacrifice family commitments because something
unforeseen and urgent crops up at work. She was a determined woman who was
trying to meet everyone's expectations even if it meant putting her wishes on
the backseat for awhile. By the end of the story, she is someone who realizes
the value of relationships and prioritizes what’s important in her life and
what she wants. This aspect of the book struck a chord with me.

'Fade
Into Red' is Ayra's journey of self discovery, dilemma on learning to compromise
and giving your loved ones priority. It was about finding the right balance
between doing what you love and doing what you have to do.

The
author has a good way with words when she is setting up the scene. Reshma has
described every scene in the book in beautiful detail. Your imagination will
take you right into the gorgeous vineyards of Tuscany and into the wine making
process. It keeps you glued! The detailing is right yet the flow throws you off
balance once in a while.

All
characters are almost alive and Ayra speaks to you through the authors words. I thought the descriptions of the cooking
frenzy that takes over at family gatherings and the brightly colored silk
sarees were beautifully executed. The author is well-versed with the technical
jargon of the investment banking business, and the details regarding the
wine-making and vineyard-buying process.

It
has all the ingredients to make it interesting. A boyfriend with whom the
wedding is fixed, assignment at work taking an ambitious yet rooted Ayra to
places of wine, a wealthy women-charmer boss and all the family and friends'
drama.

A
travelogue, an Indian story, a romance and women’s lit all rolled into one. Definitely
recommended! Give it a shot if you like reading light, entertaining fiction! In
all, a nice read with enough high points.

Rating:
4.7/5

********************

Author:

After
finishing her A Levels at Bridgine School, Windsor, and getting a BA (Hons) at
Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, Reshma started her career as a Journalist
for India’s national newspaper The Hindu, Business Line but left mid-career to
pursue an MBA at the Indian School of Business that led to a successful career
in Investment Banking. After 5 years in Investment Banking she quit her job to
travel for two years and visited Europe, China, and the US. She conceptualized
the novel during her travels through the Tuscany wine country. She created the
eccentric Ms Krishnamurthy, her precocious cat and her dog eat deal
environment. Her deep appreciation for the south Indian family dynamic,
experience as a freelance journalist and a passion for Italian wine helped
create Fade Into Red. Simultaneously she also honed her skills as a Travel
Writer and has contributed to India Today Travel Plus, SilverKris, Harper’s
Bazaar, Grazia, National Geographic Traveller and The Hindu Business Line. She
is also co-founder of the literary blog, The Caterpillar Café.

Sunday, 11 January 2015

Although
having pimples is not a serious health threat, it can be a source of
significant emotional distress for anyone. And being a girl, you always desire
clear and pretty skin for that perfect selfie or group photos. So for me, the
flare up of pimples is a serious threat, emotionally!

Living
with pimples? - On no! You just want to hide away! You are aware of your looks
and how you appear to others, and it's natural to want to look your best. You
fight it bravely in your teens, accepting that it is an unavoidable price you
pay for growing up! They call it
'puberty.' But pimples haunt even adults.

You
have an important meeting or an occasion or a date lined up; you look in the
mirror and BAM! you see a full-fledged honking mode pimple on your forehead or cheek!
Then those spots begin to hurt, become swollen, red and hot. Greasy skin
and pimples are such confidence-killers. They make you go crazy and bring times
when you don't want to leave your house and just moan over it, alone!

I go
weak when it comes to being confident, when I'm attacked by - PIMPLES. For me,
I guess, it's a vicious cycle: Stress-pimples-stress-pimples and so on! Just
when you think your "bad skin" days are over, pimple attack strikes
again.

What
troubles is not that we get pimples, but the scars they leave behind. And I
will sound freaky, but you want to get rid of those high point monsters on your
face so soon that in panic, you are tempted to prick and squeeze them till they
burst, which is even a worse way.

You
wish to expend all your time and money in getting rid of those monsters. I tried several things too. I visited several
dermatologists, waited in queues to get some magic solution from them for my
bad spotted skin. But alas, none satisfied my quench for the magic solution.
They applied chemical peels, skin creams but it gets unaffordable sometimes and
even itchy to your skin!

As you
save your skin from the corrosive acids from the mouths of toxic people, also save
it from the harsh, bumpy pimples and maintain it beautiful and supple!

My last
resort was Garnier PureActive Neem Facewash and thankfully it has been the
last and final resort indeed! It is soothing green gel-based face wash. This
product keeps pimples and acne at bay and is superior and highly effective in
reducing spots. I saw positive results within a week's use! It also freshens
you up with the cooling effect - thanks to Neem in it! The fragrance is
pleasant and refreshing.

Neem is
an evergreen tree and is known to have antibacterial properties. The curative
power of neem and tea tree oil in Garnier Pure Active Neem Facewash purifies
and deep cleans pores to remove impurities, fight excess oil and dirt caused by
pollution, giving you pimple free clear skin.

Get rid
of those pimple smacks and unwanted blemishes, make that splash of water on
your face more good with #GarnierPureActive Facewash.

This
miraculous product helps my skin fight against pollution, makes it soft and
keeps it safe by -

1.Fighting bacteria

2.Fighting pollution

3.Removing oil

It is suitable
for both men and women. Its organic and chemical-free nature keeps you away
from impurities. Also being soap-free, it does not rob the skin of its natural
oils, hence does not leave your skin dry and prevents recurrence of pimples.

With Garnier
Pure Active Neem Facewash in tow as my companion and protector, I am a
beautiful woman with a clear skin and a clean heart. This affordable product
has been a boon to me, really!